New Jersey issues draft guidance for offshore wind solicitation

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities issued the draft solicitation guidance document (SGD) for the state’s third offshore wind solicitation.

The draft SGD will engage stakeholders on the design of the solicitation and provide information necessary to help potential bidders to assess the rules and requirements.

There are several new requirements for this third solicitation, including, most notably, setting the solicitation target range from 1,200 MW to 4,000 MW. Among other new requirements, it offers an inflation adjustment mechanism; provides specific direction on New Jersey’s requirements for new or expanded supply chain facilities; provides minimum standards for the environmental and fisheries protection plans; sets the evaluation criteria weighting to 70 percent price and 30 percent non-price factors; and incorporates necessary information resulting from the board’s State Agreement Approach transmission decision on Oct. 26.

Further, the draft SGD includes an updated offshore wind solicitation schedule, reflecting the state’s expanded goal of 11 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040.

“I am pleased to announce the release of our Third Solicitation draft guidance document, and the new offshore wind solicitation schedule for reaching Governor Murphy’s expanded goal of 11 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040,” NJBPU President Joseph Fiordaliso said. “As we move toward a clean energy future, it is vital that we fulfill the promise of offshore wind in combatting climate change and providing good paying jobs while continuing to provide a reliable schedule for achieving our ambitious goals.”

The state’s approach to offshore wind development aims to secure the best overall value for ratepayers while growing economic opportunity and protecting the environment and commercial and recreational fishing interests. The third solicitation will continue that approach to developing offshore wind.

A virtual public stakeholder meeting is scheduled for Dec. 13 to review the solicitation requirements and receive public comment. Written comments will be accepted until Dec. 29.